Duckworth, Ossoff Introduce Legislation to Better Support Servicemembers as They Transition Back to Civilian Life

Duckworth, Ossoff Introduce Legislation to Better Support Servicemembers as They Transition Back to Civilian Life

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) introduced legislation to help ensure our servicemembers have the quality support they deserve as they transition from the Armed Forces back into civilian life. The Senators' Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act would designate a senior official at the Department of Defense (DoD) to oversee all of DoD's transition programs and services-which is where a Veterans' transition journey begins before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) takes over.

"As our servicemembers hang up their uniform, they deserve comprehensive support in helping them transition back into civilian life," said Duckworth. "Too often, DoD's transition programs fall short of the standard our Veterans deserve before they are handed off to the VA. Our commonsense bill would make necessary improvements and streamline coordination within DoD of these critical services. It's the least we can do to help our heroes when they return home."

"Our servicemembers make tremendous sacrifices to keep our families safe. We owe it to them to ensure they are well-equipped and supported as they transition back to civilian life," Sen. Ossoff said. "My new legislation with Senator Duckworth will help servicemembers access resources they've earned and help make their transition smoother for themselves and their families."

This DoD official would also work in close coordination with the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs, Labor and Education as well as state and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to improve transition programs and support services.

The Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fleet Reserve Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Veterans Education Success, Vietnam Veterans of America and With Honor Action.

Duckworth, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, is a fierce advocate for Veterans and has worked to increase their access to resources and programs aimed at helping them start and grow their careers when transitioning back to civilian life. Last month, she led a bipartisan push alongside U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Banks (R-IN) to increase Veterans' yearly books and supply stipend to $1,500 to keep up with inflation. The Senators' Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act would also increase the supply stipend for Veterans enrolled in apprenticeships and pursuing careers in the trades.

In March, Duckworth joined U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in leading a bipartisan push to increase access to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for Veterans pursuing apprenticeships. The Senators' Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act would allow Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries pursuing On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Apprenticeship (APP) programs to have access to the full monthly housing allowance (MHA) amount without a semiannual reduction and without a monthly work hour requirement.

The full text of the legislation is available on Senator Duckworth's website.

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